Booze Ban On Illinois River To Be Reconsidered

Sunday, February 18th 2007, 2:59 pm

By: News On 6

The Illinois River is a popular vacation destination for families, and partiers. The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission says excessive partying is tarnishing the riverâ€™s appeal, and thatâ€™s why theyâ€™ve proposed a ban on alcohol on public-access points.

While many say drunken hooliganism on the river is out of control, some worry the ban can't be enforced adequately, and others worry an alcohol ban will hurt the local economy, especially on local venders who sell beer.

The commission started discussing the ban in January, but then voted to delay the issue. That alcohol ban will be mulled this week at the groups February 20th meeting.

The idea of an alcohol ban is not a new one in Oklahoma, four state parks and one national park have banned beer in certain areas over the past few years.